Hit By a Stolen Car

If a driver of a stolen car hits you, getting compensation for your property damage and medical bills can be difficult. The insurance company doesn’t want to pay if someone else is responsible, but you may not even know who caused the damage.

In cases like this, a car accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and deal with the insurance companies to get you financial compensation after a stolen car accident.

Are Car Thefts on the Rise?

Car thefts are rising across the country. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were more than 1 million vehicles stolen in 2022, a 7% increase over the year before. Car thefts can include organized crime rings that steal luxury cars or kids joyriding a few blocks. For most stolen car situations, it creates a major inconvenience for owners who have to try and retrieve their vehicles and deal with insurance companies for any damages.

Reckless thieves driving stolen cars puts everyone at risk. This includes police chases where the fleeing driver causes an accident because of speeding, running red lights, or other evasive maneuvers when trying to ditch the cops.

What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash?

Any car crash can be a shocking experience. What usually happens is the drivers pull over if it is safe and look at the damage. What are you supposed to do if the other vehicle drives off or the driver gets out and runs away? Your instinct may be to chase after the driver. But that can be dangerous and a bad idea.

If you are injured in an accident, call 911 for medical and police help. If there are no serious injuries, the police will still want to know about a hit-and-run accident. Let law enforcement deal with the hit-and-run driver so you can stay safe.

If the police don’t make a police report, you may have to report it to your state agency or division of motor vehicles. You may also have to report the accident to your insurance company to get started on your claim.

Will Insurance Cover an Accident With a Stolen Car?

Insurance coverage for car accident damage depends on your insurance policy. In most states, car accident liability is based on fault. The at-fault driver is financially responsible for any damages caused by the accident, even if it is more than their insurance coverage. If you live in a no-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) state, your insurance may cover any injuries caused by an accident with a stolen vehicle, regardless of fault.

If you have comprehensive insurance, it will usually cover damage caused by theft, fire, or natural disasters after you pay the deductible. If you have collision coverage, your own car insurance may cover vehicle damage caused by a collision with another vehicle. But these are optional insurance policies that many drivers don’t have.

You may have to rely on uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage for other drivers. Many states require UM/UIM coverage, but it is optional in other states. Uninsured motorist coverage should pay for damage caused by the driver of the stolen vehicle. If the driver of a stolen vehicle flees the scene and is never identified, some states provide that UM/UIM helps pay for injuries and car repairs.

Can I Sue the Car Thief for Damages?

If the police catch and arrest the thief, you can find out who caused the accident from the police. The driver who caused the accident is liable for damages, but collecting the money to pay for your damages can be difficult. If the thief has auto insurance, the insurance company may deny the claim because the driver was engaged in illegal activity.

You can sue the driver to hold them personally liable, but you only get a part of the damages if they don’t have much money or assets.

Can I Sue the Police Department for a Car Chase Accident?

If the accident happened during a police chase, the city or law enforcement agency could be responsible. Depending on the state, government agencies can be liable for negligence. If the police officer negligently chased another dangerous vehicle, the police department could be liable for damages. Liability can be based on a lack of police training, not following vehicle pursuit policies, or improper officer supervision.

Can I Sue the Owner of the Stolen Vehicle for Damages?

The person who legally owned the stolen car will likely have car insurance. Unfortunately, the owner’s insurance carrier will not likely pay for any damages caused by a driver who didn’t have permission to drive the owner’s vehicle. The owner is generally not liable for damages caused after the car was stolen. But if the owner lied about the theft to avoid liability, they can be liable for damages and face criminal charges for insurance fraud.

Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help in a Stolen Vehicle Accident?

Accidents with stolen vehicles are not like other accidents. You can’t exchange insurance information and let the insurance company figure things out. An attorney can be an advocate after a stolen car accident.

Your auto accident attorney help you understand your legal options and take action to recover damages. Your personal injury lawyer can deal with the insurance companies and law enforcement and file a lawsuit for the financial compensation that you deserve.